Letters To The Editor
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Benton response changes nothing
Republican state chairman Sen. Don Benton (July 17 guest column) explains how the party’s resolution to terminate certain forms of reservation government has been misrepresented by “leftist reporters” and the news media. His explanation falls short of quelling the outcry.
In his lead paragraph, Benton says the party does not seek to end tribal sovereignty. The resolution calls for “termination of … non-Republican forms of government on Indian reservations. Sovereignty, however, includes the power of a tribe to determine its own form of government and any action to terminate a form of government would be tantamount to ending sovereignty.
Benton says the resolution is designed to change John Fleming’s situation of not being a tribe member “through one of the few avenues available to him.” But tribes are sovereign nations, with which the United States has treaties. There is no avenue for the U.S. government or the Republican Party to dictate a tribe’s form of government.
The resolution’s policy is not just misguided; it conflicts with the Constitution.
According to Benton, a very tired and busy committee approved the misunderstood resolution. This is not an excuse for a poorly considered action. If the committee misunderstood its resolution, it should admit that it is ill conceived, improper and should be immediately repudiated by the party - as it has been by sensible people throughout Washington. Malcolm N. Landis Spokane
Political leader needs to know history
Shame on you, Washington State Republican Party member, John Fleming for ignoring history, taught here in Washington State. By your authoring a resolution that would in effect abolish Native American tribal governments, not to mention the threat to tribal governments to turn military action against Native American citizens of our country, you have pronounced to all those that have witnessed this horrific idea, that; “all bigotry is based on ignorance”
Our former Democratic president and statesman, Harry S. Truman, stated; for “a political leader to be effective, this person must have a firm knowledge of history, or he/she would allow the errors of past history to repeat its self.”
Those of us who care about our country’s freedoms, read about past history and present political issues, in order to make informed decisions when we cast our votes. The United States of America was formed by citizens of other countries that came to this continent to escape tyranny, the absolute power of one ruler to control its people.
In these United States each state has its government based on the choice of its people to decide, within its boundaries the laws governing that state.
It should be fairly elementary, that tribal governments have been afforded the same rights, by hundred-year-old treaties granted by the government, if a citizen living within a tribal or state government cannot abide by the laws of the aforementioned, that party has the right to remove him/herself. Eddie M. Biegler Spokane
Rat helpful in explanation
I was pleased to attend the Davenport (Wash.) parade in support of their community (July 22-23). What particularly impressed me was the political activism of the crowd and volunteers.
The Eastern Washington Term Limits Coalition carried King Weasel through the parade with his message: “Keep Your Word George.” These volunteers intend to make our elected officials honest. It was fun to explain to my daughter about the “funny looking rat” waving through the crowd.
Our own 5th District U.S. representative, George Nethercutt, gave his speech after the parade. His words were as empty as his honor. In addition to breaking his 1994 promise to seek only three terms, Nethercutt recently backed out on legislation concerning Cuba embargoes. He can’t even keep his word to support his own legislation! His voting record is not that of a fiscal conservative! He is forgetting every promise he made in 1994 and is dividing the GOP. Establishment politicians like him explain why Americans turn to Third Party politics.
Thank you, King Weasel. Please be omnipresent from now until Nov. 2 with your “Keep your word George” banners. As I teach my daughter, your word is the only thing you can give and still keep. Phillip Thompson Elk
OVER THE LINE
Dress shouldn’t affect approval
Re: “Public may bare opinions about nudist camp,” (The Handle, July 25) It is interesting that everyone is so concerned with what the Janson’s (Tom and Linda) might do with their own property. The (Kootenai County) commissioners approved the plan after looking to see if there was damaging impact on the eco-system and finding none. State of dress doesn’t seem to me to change any of that.
So long as the Janson’s don’t injure other people by their use, it should be of no concern to anyone else. I know that I would not want someone telling me what I could or could not do on my property. Especially telling me how I should dress. Ann Farnsworth Spokane
Nudists can make good neighbors
Re: “Public may bare opinions about nudist camp.”
It is sad that people fear what they do not know. Kaniksu Ranch, north of Spokane, has existed as a nudist resort since 1939, and has good relations with the neighboring communities including area law enforcement.
I don’t think they’ve ever been called to the ranch, except to help with traffic to the annual Bare Buns Fun Run, the last Sunday each July. Kaniksans help with community cleanup efforts and chili feeds. They bring their dollars to spend in the community from a wide area. Those who visited during a recent clothed open house found a wholesome family environment. Many find the same peaceful mountain beauty when they visit for the annual fun run.
Naturalists aren’t pushy. They don’t try to force their ways on others. They build strong fences and do make good neighbors. D. A. Smith Spokane
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
KISS show truly great
KISS was not my wife’s first choice for a live show. But, being the open-minded person she is, she agreed to go. She was glad she did. We had a blast.
I have been a KISS fan since the mid ‘70s. They are rock n’ roll. I knew the show would be one to remember. Few bands have accomplished what KISS has. They have many multi-platinum albums, an excellent stage show, have extremely devoted fans, write and produce most of their own music, and play their own instruments. I have seen many live shows, but I can truly say the concert at The Gorge was the best show have ever seen. The band played over two hours and had flawless execution of their stage show.
Heather Lalley reviewed the show and wants to understand what the allure of this band is. If she does not know their allure after witnessing the entire show, I am afraid she will never know. Mike and Laura Manley Spokane
Review was closed-minded
Re: “Kiss this band goodbye” (July 24).
In reading this review of the recent KISS concert at the Gorge I was sorely disappointed to see that the article didn’t do the show justice and in fact seemed to deliberately degrade it. It would be so refreshing to see a review by someone willing to be open-minded and enjoy the show, not just pick it apart. What I gathered from this article was that its author was so busy trying to find something to criticize that they missed what everyone else saw as an awesome show.
But even if this reviewer did give it a fair chance and just honestly disliked the performance, are all the insults really necessary? Even while pointing out a very few of the many positive aspects of the concert, the article seized every opportunity to take low blows at insignificant elements, usually involving the band’s age. If this was an attempt at wit, I think it was unsuccessful. Perhaps a band of 50-ish rockers that can still bring the house down should be commended.
I realize that it is a critic’s job to analyze the event, and I believe that everyone has a right to their opinion, but I should certainly think that it could be expressed in a more tactful and objective manner. The negativity and sarcasm abundant in this review are insulting not only to the artists but also to their fans. Stephanie F. Goodman Spokane
CHURCH AND STATE
Disturbing that some still desire oath
In Lisa Tanner’s July 20 letter, she raises issues of historical accuracy which merit discussion but can be deferred. Her citation of the Delaware Constitution deserves more immediate attention.
Since Tanner’s political star is rising in North Idaho, it’s incumbent upon us to fully understand her personal convictions and motivation.
She casts her Founding-Fathers net exceedingly wide to include the authors of the Delaware constitution, but I must thank her for her effort.
It’s a stunning example of precisely the intolerant, dogmatic, corrosive religious tyranny that Jefferson and his compatriots adamantly refused to include in the foundations of this nascent nation. Can any thinking person read these lines and not feel a chill of apprehension at realizing their ominous implications? I fervently hope not!
It’s deeply disturbing that even today there are significant numbers of people, apparently including Tanner, who would readily institute this oath as a prerequisite for any public service position.
Religious fanatics world-wide still refuse to accept the reality that morality and spiritual direction cannot be legislated. Their attempts are forever doomed to failure, and are only toxic to their larger societies.
How ironic that these issues are being discussed, even as a tiny band of religious zealots, including Tanner, have taken control of a major portion of the Boundary County political machinery. The probability is high that we have a front-row seat for a demonstration of what Jefferson and his companions were determined to protect us from. Walt Aring Bonners Ferry
EDUCATION
Math changes add up to drivel
Re: “Rid schools of lame-brained notions” by Andrew Bernstein (July 19). There’s no need to imagine a curriculum such as Bernstein describes. It arrived last year in District 81 in the form of Integrated Mathematics 1, 2 and 3. Algebra was not offered in Spokane high schools last year and geometry won’t be taught this year. Advanced algebra with trigonometry appears to be next if something isn’t done this year. Integrated mathematics is replacing it all. Used in Spokane’s high schools last year, it claims to cover algebra, geometry, trigonometry and more.
Look through the books. See the colored pictures of happy children “doing” mathematics. View the projects for high school mathematics students, such as designing a logo for a book cover and creating menus for people with different weights and activity levels. In Integrated 3, high school juniors will be asked to make a set of Pan pipes out of soda straws while studying exponential and logarithmic functions! It should be a crime to offer such drivel to our math students.
Notice the near total lack of exercises requiring, as Bernstein suggests, “rigorous paper and pencil computation.” Observe the extreme shortage of well-organized practice sets - essential to the development of strong math skills. Behold the staggering number of concepts and terms introduced but not developed. With this kind of mathematics preparation American high school seniors will continue to rank “18th out of 21 nations” as Bernstein states.
Although integrated mathematics cannot be blamed for the current state of mathematics in America, I believe it’s another step in the wrong direction. George K. Brown Cheney
OTHER TOPICS
Make Jerusalem autonomous city-state
This idea to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations impasse could be a win-win solution, at least on the issue of the Jerusalem. If this concept already has been suggested, it needs another look.
Why not create a city-state of Jerusalem - autonomous and sovereign unto itself? Its borders would be open to both Israel and Palestine. The capitols of both countries would be located within it on land owned and controlled by the respective countries, much as embassies around the world are.
The city-state government would operate under a constitution similar to ours, guaranteeing the rights of minorities, especially in the areas of religion and race.
Since Jerusalem is a holy city for at least three major religions, it seems natural to create a special form of government there that will respect those and other religions.
By creating a city-state there, Jerusalem could at last become a city truly dedicated to peace among all men. Joseph H. Wythe Sandpoint
We need common sense management
Great news! “Snake River dams to stay for 10 years.”
The largest return of spring Chinook salmon to the Snake River since 1938 (51,754) to date, and 326 sockeye and Kokanee salmon over Granite Dam DZM returning to the Salmon River.
Tell the whole truth. Let Idaho, Washington and Oregon citizens know Idaho Department of Fish and Game poisoned Sockeye salmon lakes in Idaho. They poisoned in Yellow Belly, Pettit and Stanley Lakes in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘90s. Since sockeye were never a soughtafter sport fish, these lakes were converted to trout production. Sockeye were purposely kept from entering and did not contribute to the Idaho fishery. This is Idaho public record.
The National Marine Fisheries Service and the environmental community are using the Snake River Sockeye as an excuse to breach the four Snake River dams.
We can have salmon, dams, river transportation, irrigation, jobs and clean hydropower. The Columbia Basin uses only 3 percent of the Columbia River water for irrigation to help feed the world. Bald eagles were protected and they came back. We can do the same for the salmon, without removing the dams in the Northwest. We need common sense salmon management and Pacific Northwest citizens should demand nothing less.
Would Westerners look at taking out Ballard Locks in Seattle for the sake of their endangered fish? I think not. Les Wigen Whitman County commissioner, LaCrosse, Wash.
Many land swaps good for all
A recent article about a possible end to land swaps between government and private owners raises questions. Primarily, what basis of measurement does the GAO use for land swaps, sales or purchases? There’s likely to be an occasional mistake in such transactions, but it doesn’t mean all land exchanges should be halted. There’s ample review in most all cases.
I’ve been appraising land exchanges in the Inland Empire area for 35 years; thousands of acres and millions of board feet of timber. I appraise both public and private ownerships as if all were private land exposed for sale on the open market, arriving at market value as defined by the courts. The exchanges have eliminated scattered and checkerboard ownerships and consolidated lands for more efficient, less costly management. Both sides have benefited greatly.
A facilitator, not a broker (Clearwater Land Exchange firm is a facilitator) is extremely helpful in handling the myriad of ownership tracts usually involved, and they’re not usually paid by the government. Without one, many exchanges wouldn’t be made due to the minimal government financing for such and the lack of desire by many private owners for direct involvement. Whoever handles much of the project needs some compensation, just as those who make a profession of combating exchanges get compensation for their time.
Professional appraisals and exchanges have specific requirements and get numerous reviews. The so-called congressional audit and GAO report referred to in the article need some open examination. It would be detrimental to the public good if exchanges were eliminated. A. James Caddis Spokane